The Architecture of the Temple
South Indian temple style also known as Dravidian architecture is there in the Brihadeshwara temple. Rock-cut architecture is used for the construction of the temple. The rocks used in the temple came from neighboring states. It took around 25 years to sculpt those rocks and more than 9 years to arrange them in order. The temple is not only famous for its spiritual importance but also as an art gallery and attraction to the community.
The temple has a lot of murals and paintings that portray Lord Shiva in varied dancing postures, killing demons, etc. The murals were created with the use of different techniques. Granite was used to construct the whole temple. On the stone, a smooth batter of limestone was applied and the paint was done by using fruit and vegetable juices. Natural colors were used. Mostly the murals are visible on the ceilings of the corridors and on the sub-shrines.
A. The dome of the Temple
The structure of this temple and the dome has been made in such a way that the sun moves around it but the shadow of its dome does not fall on the ground. It is made from a single stone weighing about 80 tonnes and a golden Kalash is placed on top of it. Meaning a 12 feet Kumbam has been placed on top of this dome.
B. Puzzle System Architecture
The stones here have not been glued to each other in any way, but the stones have been cut and fixed with each other in such a way that they can never be separated. This gigantic temple is built from about 130,000 tonnes of granite and neither glue nor lime or cement has been used to connect it. The temple is connected with a puzzle system.
C. Natural Color and Paintings of the Temple
Paintings at the Brihadeshwara temple are not made of pigmented color but actual stones are embedded in them. There are many sculptures on the walls depicting scenes from various gods and goddesses and stories associated with them. A special type of painting is seen on the walls of the corridors around the Brihadisvara temple. This temple is an unmatched specimen of architecture, sculpture, painting, dance, music, jewellery, and engraving in stone and copper.
D. Giant Nandi in the temple
The statue of Nandi sitting on a giant platform is amazing. The roof of Nandi Mandap is of bright blue and golden yellow color. There is a pillar in front of this Mandap. On which the picture of the king has been made saluting Lord Shiva and his vehicle. The Nandi statue located here is the second largest statue of Nandi made by carving a single stone in India. It is 12 feet long, 12 feet high, and 19 feet wide. This idol, weighing 25 tons, was built in the 16th century during the Vijayanagara reign.
The World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple
Brihadeshwara temple is a Hindu Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at the bank of the Cauvery river in Thanjavur, Tamilnadu. The temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chola-I who was one of the great emperors of the Chola dynasty and it was designed by “Kunjara Mallan Raja Rama Perunthachan” between 1003 and 1010 AD.